November has arrived with all sorts of autumnal treats. Now’s the time for rural road trips, nature escapes and pop-up events. Across the first weekend of the month, street food markets, fashion bazaars, film nights and brand-new festivals taking care of Cyprus’ environment and forests arrive to involve, educate and entertain islanders. Here’s what’s on this weekend!

Two festivals have already begun. One is the Cyprus International Film Festival – Golden Aphrodite CYIFF which until Saturday will host a series of film screenings, an awards ceremony, workshops, a photography exhibition, lectures and walking tours for its 19th edition.

The other ongoing festival is the Sustainable Pediaios River Festival, taking place for the first time and has activities until Sunday. The festival is organised by the Environment Commissioner in cooperation with the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, and is a celebration of nature and a chance for people to rediscover the Pediaios river. Throughout the weekend, 68 activities will be on across various points along the river, including a beach cleanup at the river’s mouth in Famagusta, street art, tree planting, guided tours, workshops, music performances, hiking, stargazing and more.

Also in its first edition is the Back to the Roots Festival which will bring culture, music, art and tree-planting fun to the village of Arakapas this Saturday. A rich programme has been set for this environmental festival which seeks to restore vegetation on degraded land. Enjoy a contemporary art exhibition, workshops, films, crafty workshops, nature talks, plant trees and spend a fun day in nature.

Meanwhile, Geri in the suburbs of Nicosia will host the last Fork Food Market of the year this Friday. Parko Glypton will fill with street food vendors cooking up delicious bites and meals while the bar serves cocktails and beers and DJ SS plays groovy music. The event will last from 6.30pm to 11pm.

Come Saturday, more exciting events will happen. At Prodromou Polychoro in Nicosia’s old Strovolos, a Fashion Bazaar will showcase and sell modern clothing of high quality from 10am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday. For something a little quirkier but still a one-off event, head to Zambartas Winery in Ayios Ambrosios village for a special concert by jazz rockers Fuzz Bus and Cypriot singer Michalis Tterlikkas. The End of Harvest Party will also include special local wines to mark the end of the grape harvest season.

What a weekend!

19th International Film Festival Golden Aphrodite

Annual film festival. Until November 2. Melina Merkouri Hall, Nicosia. https://www.cyprusfilmfestival.org/

1st Sustainable Pediaios River Festival

Environmental festival with free activities for all. Until November 3. Pediaios River, Nicosia and other location. https://www.facebook.com/@EpitroposPerivallontos/

1st Back to the Roots Festival

Tree-planting and environmental festival with music, art, talks and activities. November 2. Arakapas village, Limassol district. 10am-11pm. https://back2theroots.ecombare.com/

Last Fork Food Market of 2024

Street food market. November 1. Parko Glypton, Geri, Nicosia. 6pm-11pm. www.facebook.com/forkcy

End of Harvest Party

Autumnal party and live music performance by Michalis Terlikkas and Fuzz Bus. November 2. Zambartas Winery, Agios Amvrosios, Limassol district. 5pm-10pm. €25 for adults (includes a glass of wine and engraved wine glass to take home), €18 for children. Prebooked tickets only, no door sales will be available. https://zambartaswineries.com/end-of-harvest-party-2-nov/

Fashion Bazaar

Pop-up fashion bazaar. November 2-3. Prodromou Polychoros, Nicosia. 10am-6pm. https://www.facebook.com/Prodromou.Kafeneio